The Zonta Club of the Joliet Area commemorates the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a March and Rally in downtown Joliet on Friday, December 6, 2024, from noon to 1 p.m. The march starts at Slammer’s Field and ends up in the green space where the old courthouse used to stand. All are welcome to attend.
It has been a tradition for the club to educate the public about the 16 Days of Activism, November 25 – December 10. Social media posts, a Pledge to Say No, and podcast have all been instrumental in reaching out to the public.
Co-chairs Essence Clark and Sylvia Acosta Chavez have tirelessly worked to make this event a community project. Speakers invited include Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy, a representative from the Will County State’s Attorney’s office, and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton.
“Zonta is on the move,” says President Bonnie Winfrey. “Globally, we are working hard to change the statistics regarding violence against women. We come against the numbers that reflect every 10 minutes a woman is killed, and every 10 minutes 229 girls are forced into child marriages. During our Say NO to Violence March and Rally, for the first time in our community, men are coming together to take center stage to lead and support our mission to combat violence targeting women and girls. We are so thankful for our community’s commitment to stand with Zonta during our 16 Days of Activism.”
By involving everyone in the Joliet area to this event, we will be coming together to show that this is not “someone else’s problem” and we can no longer ignore the impact of gender-based violence in our community. Gender-based violence is everyone’s concern. In the US, over 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. And 1 in 3 teens experience dating violence each year, regardless of gender.
Media outlets are encouraged to come out and cover this important event. The information provided is vital to understand the effects on families and schools in our area.
The Zonta Club of the Joliet Area is a part of Zonta International, a UN NGO (non-governmental agency). The Club is dedicated to making a better world for women and girls. The Club achieves this through community service and fundraising for scholarships for women and girls. If you are interested in membership, please visit our website at www.jolietzonta.org or find us at https://www.facebook.com/JolietZontaClub and leave us a message.
